Boston 2024 Releases Olympic Bid Documents

Almost two weeks after Boston was selected as the U.S. bid to host the 2024 Summer Olympics, we now have a glimpse of what the Games might actually look like here.

Boston 2024, the private nonprofit behind the city's bid, on Wednesday released the presentation materials it gave to the U.S. Olympic Committee during its pitch in December. The documents include renderings and information about possible venues, transportation planning and an estimated operating budget.

Architect David Manfredi, co-chair of Boston 2024's planning committee, and ParalympianCheri Blauwet went through the presentation at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center Wednesday.

According to Manfredi, the group's plan relies on three major principles including: planning the Games into the city's future keeping 2030 in mind, partnering with local universities, and providing the best possible experience.

"We believe Boston is the right-sized city for the Games," Manfredi said.

Manfredi also said they want to plan the most walkable Olympics in modern times and leave a lasting legacy in the city. Boston 2024's plan calls for 28 of 33 Olympic venues to be within a 10 kilometer (6.2 miles) radius. Manfredi said their plan also calls for utilizing transportation and infrastructure projects that are already in the pipeline.

The Olympic venues and events would take place in two major clusters -- a waterfront cluster and a university cluster. The waterfront cluster includes South Boston and stretches to UMass Boston in Dorchester, where the Olympic village is planned. The university cluster would include parts of Cambridge, including Harvard University and MIT in addition to Boston University and the Beacon Park rail yards.

A look at the waterfront cluster, which includes a proposed 60,000 seat Olympic stadium, and an athletes village at UMass Boston. (Boston 2024)This rendering shows the proposed site of the Olympic village near UMass Boston. The athletes village would be located on the site of the former Bayside Expo center. (Boston 2024)In their bid, Boston 2024 said "Olympic Boulevard" would be "the pedestrian spine" for the 2024 Games. This rendering shows Fort Point Channel looking south toward the proposed Olympic stadium. (Boston 2024)Part of Dorchester Avenue near the proposed Olympic stadium would be called Olympics Boulevard during the Games. (Boston 2024)Boston 2024 says an athletes village is planned for UMass Boston as part of the university's expansion efforts. (Boston 2024)Boston 2024 proposed a beach volleyball venue on Boston Common, and to start the marathon and road cycling on Charles Street between the Common and the Public Garden. (Boston 2024)Boston 2024 said it would like to see Olympic baseball at Fenway Park if the sports returns to the Games. (Boston 2024)An Olympics Stadium is planned for Widett Circle in South Boston, which Boston 2024 organizers dubbed "midtown" in their presentation. (Boston 2024)(Boston 2024)Another view of the proposed Olympic stadium. Boston 2024 president Dan O'Connell said Widett Circle is their first choice for the stadium, but if that location didn't work out they may consider Suffolk Downs.(Boston 2024)The university cluster will make use of facilities at Harvard University, MIT and BU. Aquatics, water polo, hockey, tennis and fencing are planned for Harvard. Archery is planned for MIT and badminton for Boston University. (Boston 2024)A proposed temporary archery venue at MIT. (Boston 2024)Under Boston 2024's Olympic plan, Harvard would host several events at its stadium and nearby athletic fields. (Boston 2024)Organizers of Boston's bid for the 2024 Olympics said they plan to utilize transportation projects that are already in the pipeline. Dan O'Connell said an upgrade of JFK/UMass station and additional platforms at South station would be beneficial for the Games. (Boston 2024)

Zeninjor EnwemekaTwitterReporterZeninjor Enwemeka is a reporter who covers business, tech and culture as part of WBUR's Bostonomix team, which focuses on the innovation economy.